At first, it had simply been a matter of keeping an eye on him. Battles were an excuse to check on Colress and see how his experiments were developing, to make sure he wasn't veering into "harmful for pokemon and the world at large" territory again. But that didn't last. They talked, Nate participated in a few more studies, and somehow it evolved into this actual sort of... camaraderie? Colress' dedication to the betterment of pokemon and the study of their power through bonds is so genuine. When the two of them are on the same page about something, it's difficult not to get swept up in his excitement.
It's funny how it worked out, all things considered. They get along now. Nate visits his lab a few times a week. But that's the point of going on a journey, isn't it? To meet people you never expected to meet, forging new bonds. That's how Nate likes to think of it, anyway.
Colress holds out the paperwork for him to view and his eyes immediately glaze over trying to parse those numbers. Nate can't quite keep up even with context, most of the time. He's making an effort to understand, but the subject of Colress' study is something that comes naturally to Nate. Those sure are a bunch of numbers that quantify his love for his pokemon with data and statistics! Cool. Yep.
Luckily, Colress steers the conversation back to their usual sort of exchanges.
"I mean, wouldn't they have to? The way we trust each other; that's something that extends to every part of our lives, not just when we battle." He folds his arms across his chest, a thoughtful look on his face. He can't guess what Colress is getting at this time; it'd be faster just to ask what he's trying to measure. "What kind of effect are you looking for?"
It's taking all of Colress's restraint not to immediately dump his findings on Nate; he never seems more animated than when he has someone to explain his research to, doubly so when that person is a direct participant in his attempts to quantify potential. And Nate... well, Nate is more than "a participant" by now. Just as Nate has become used to visiting Colress, Colress has gotten used to Nate's presence, his Pokémon, his feedback. He's almost a contributor to these experiments, more than a recurring research subject. "That's certainly true," he says approvingly, when his companion gives an answer. "Between battles, trust is built between Pokémon and their Trainers that lays the foundations for when we face each other. But..."
Colress's smile turns sly. He's given Nate this look before, a look that suggests Nate's hypothesis is good, but not the one he's looking for.
"...that's between battles. This number" — and he taps the paper again — "was recorded just after our match concluded, while you were talking with Samurott. Do you see the asterisks?
"What this means is: When you praised Samurott after the battle, it actually increased the levels of energy present in your Pokémon by nearly 10 percent! In other words, if the bond between a Trainer and a Pokémon is sufficient, the Pokémon can regain some of its energy losses, and continue past the limits of physical exhaustion, using positive reinforcement. This suggests that strength is not set in stone, but relative to the context or situation. If true, we're one step closer to understanding the potential of Pokémon! Do you think that matches up with what you've seen?"
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no subject
It's funny how it worked out, all things considered. They get along now. Nate visits his lab a few times a week. But that's the point of going on a journey, isn't it? To meet people you never expected to meet, forging new bonds. That's how Nate likes to think of it, anyway.
Colress holds out the paperwork for him to view and his eyes immediately glaze over trying to parse those numbers. Nate can't quite keep up even with context, most of the time. He's making an effort to understand, but the subject of Colress' study is something that comes naturally to Nate. Those sure are a bunch of numbers that quantify his love for his pokemon with data and statistics! Cool. Yep.
Luckily, Colress steers the conversation back to their usual sort of exchanges.
"I mean, wouldn't they have to? The way we trust each other; that's something that extends to every part of our lives, not just when we battle." He folds his arms across his chest, a thoughtful look on his face. He can't guess what Colress is getting at this time; it'd be faster just to ask what he's trying to measure. "What kind of effect are you looking for?"
no subject
Colress's smile turns sly. He's given Nate this look before, a look that suggests Nate's hypothesis is good, but not the one he's looking for.
"...that's between battles. This number" — and he taps the paper again — "was recorded just after our match concluded, while you were talking with Samurott. Do you see the asterisks?
"What this means is: When you praised Samurott after the battle, it actually increased the levels of energy present in your Pokémon by nearly 10 percent! In other words, if the bond between a Trainer and a Pokémon is sufficient, the Pokémon can regain some of its energy losses, and continue past the limits of physical exhaustion, using positive reinforcement. This suggests that strength is not set in stone, but relative to the context or situation. If true, we're one step closer to understanding the potential of Pokémon! Do you think that matches up with what you've seen?"